How Project Scorpio Will Fix Console Gaming's Greatest Flaw

Microsoft is preparing to attack one of the most consumer-unfriendly practices in all of gaming.

[Nyxus]

You can still play your old games if you keep your old systems.

[Overload]

The PS4 followed the console model to a tee and was a huge success. People buy new consoles to play new games, not old ones. Are people going to pretend everyone loves remasters and cross gen titles more than new titles made for the new hardware?

[freshslicepizza]

@Overload
"The PS4 followed the console model to a tee and was a huge success. People buy new consoles to play new games, not old ones. Are people going to pretend everyone loves remasters and cross gen titles more than new titles made for the new hardware?"

its called an option. something that was actually a great selling feature back in the ps2 days, how ironic. but now sony created a serice called playstation now that debut ON THE PS4, so tell me again how nobody cares! if nobody craed they wouldn;t be offering this service now would they? but of course i can see why you would agree to anything sony does when they make the decisions for you like ignoring anyone who may want ea access. i guess the choice is simple when there isn't one.

[Lennoxb63]

I play consoles to play what I want. New or old.

[Christopher]

First, let me say, I do love my old games and it is a massive benefit to support BC in some way.

Second, I do find it amusing that when this generation started people complained that one product manufacturer was focusing on moving old games to the new hardware via remasters instead of focusing on just new games, but now people are excited to play old games on new hardware.

.

Both sides are pretty much just stupid right now. I think all sane gamers can agree that, when possible, they want new hardware with new games that show off the power and capabilities of the new hardware but they would also love to have new hardware that supported their old games as well.

[poppinslops]

@Christopher: You're overlooking the fact that backwards-compatibility is free - not to mention it's given people the chance to play cult classics like Lost Odyssey, which never had a digital version and is almost impossible to find in stores (there were just 3 copies in all of Australia's EB games')... I'm not against games receiving the remaster treatment, but it's usually a privelage reserved for the best-selling and most-popular titles - most of which cost just as much as their last-gen counterparts.

[Death]

@Chris,

There is a difference between reselling people their "old" games on new systems and allowing gamers to use their existing games on the new systems. I own well over 100 games from last gen. Not having to have a 360 hooked up to every TV to play them is a very nice feature. To be fair, I was very happy when Sony had b/c and still use my PS3 60 gig to this day to play generations of games. It would have been nice to play these on the PS4 as well. Sony opting to resell them as remasters and classics as well as through a subscription service shows they know the value of playing "old" games, but choose to do so through a business model instead. It's great from a profit standpoint, but not so great for customers.

[Christopher]

@two people above

I'm not overlooking anything. There were legit criticisms for Sony focusing at all on old games in their first year, complaining about TLoU, Uncharted, and GoW remasters instead of there not being new IPs to fill those slots. There is now a focus on old game support, which does indeed take resources on Microsofts end that could be used to make new games as well.

The stupidity is that people care one way or another and can't just shut up and let the people who enjoy it enjoy it.

I'm also not overlooking that the people who used to praise remasters are now talking about how 'I buy hardware for new games' when they stupidly used to praise remasters as if they were new games. Some even called them 'GotY all over again'.

Again, the stupidity is that people care one way or another and can't just shut up and let the people who enjoy it enoy it.

The fact is, both sides of this stupid argument just like to do just that: argue. You guys could walk into a Burger King and find something to argue about and walk out like the argument over who had better fries or whether Coke or Pepsi is better means anything at all. The fact is, you guys just love to argue and can't deal with just letting people enjoy what they enjoy, whether it's BC, remasters, shooters or JRPGs, or even just liking one UI over another.

[GamingIVfun]

BC wasn't that important on PS2, ain't that important on Xbox One or the Scorpio. It's not that big a deal, except to fanboys. I doubt it has really helped sell a single console. People by new consoles for new games and experiences and exclusives. Xbox 360 had BC that was abandoned a couple years after it's release with about a third of Xbox games being playable on it, guess what, no one cared really. PS4 is increasing it's huge lead ( probably more than twice the amount sold over Xbox One) it does not have BC for disk based games, sales prove that BC doesn't matter.

[poppinslops]

@Chris: Doesn't sound like you're enjoying much of anything today... and whilst I cannot spak for Death, I joined N4G because it was a cesspool of misinformation, one where logic and reason are secondary to sensationalist rhetoric - I strive to bring a touch of class to the 'debate', but don't mistake my competence for revelry.

I'm not saying remasters are bad - I'm saying the BUSINESS of remasters is bad, not just for consumers, but for creativity and innovation within the videogame industry... and while you are right about the BC program requiring resources on MS' end, don't you think that that remastering the 300+ titles would be an exponentially greater drain on resources? Better to have MS footing the bill than 3rd party devs, who would almost-certainly pass the costs onto consumers - just as they have with their remasters.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. I think if Scorpio is a new platform as in a new platform with its own games, it will have its own reasons on why folks should buy it.

I just don't see "old games" as reasons to purchase a new platform. I think they would clearly need to make exclusives content for the system.

[UltraNova]

I didnt, dont nor will I ever care about BC. I keep all my consoles and some of the best games of each gen.

If you are going to buy a new system i.e. current gen my logic tells me you want to play new games. BC is a good option but an option none the less, its not and should not be a new, expensive systems priority/selling point, unless new games are of secondary importance.

Long story cut short, you should either offer options like BC and new experiences on a constant rate or give up on trying to sell something new that has no new IPs, people are not stupid, mostly.

[poppinslops]

@Ed: Microsoft have repeatedly stated that Scorpio is not a new platform and that 1st party studios will continue to support the XO - what 3rd paty devs do is up to them, though I doubt any of them will consider the prospect until Scorpio's install-base justifies the expense... Either way, Star Citizen is the only 3rd party title that wouldn't run on a 'vanilla' XO, which could take years, seeing as Cloud Imperium aren't allowed to use their Kickstarter $$$ for a port.

With regards to backward/forward compatibility, no one's suggesting it's the reason to buy a Scorpio - new games like Crackdown, Red Dead 2 and Forza 7 will always be the selling point - but it certainly doesn't hurt to know that I'll be able to play their predecessors on the same device.

[ONESHOTV2]

Overload--- oh really now can you give me the stats for that statement. I dont know about you but i sure do wish i can play my old games from the ps2- 3 era on my ps4 pro. This is why i use my rig as my main platform because. I dont want some sh--t console manufacturing company to tell me what i can and can not play, the same can be said about the drones that defend them on bad consumer practices Like this.

[bouzebbal]

to be honest, backwards compatibility is good and bad.
the good is you have everything in one place.
the bad is you have to pay for it even if you don't want it.
i personaly prefer no backward compatibility nowadays because that means less chips or just less work in general meaning a cheaper price for the system.
i enjoy turning on previous gen systems to enjoy previous gen games. as an example, wii u is backwards compatible and i NEVER even tried a single wii game in it. i hope they dropped that feature and cut the price of the console at some point. that would have helped the system so much

[Overload]

Just to make it clear, I'm not hating on the ability to play old games. But I agree with Chris that it is an added benefit, not a focal point.

But I will add, nothing is wrong with arguing respectfully. It actually helps a lot of situations by bringing clarity through everything being dissected.

[ShottyatLaw]

Remasters still sell though, right? I guess some people enjoy playing old games. But new games sell too. So....apparently people enjoy new games AND old games??

If only there was some way for us to have both on one magical machine.... I'll hop on over to my PC and do a little research to see if there is such a device.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

so if people want to play games they already purchased they should just hang on to all of their consoles or re-buy them via streaming on ps4. yup. sounds perfect. i love buying things twice.

[Petebloodyonion]

@ Overload, Edmix, gaminIVfun and the ones I missed.

If I understand you correctly, you bought your PS4 to play new games or experience worthy of the Ps4.
Thus meaning that you have 0 interest in new retro games because they try to mimic game made on Snes (just dig out your old snes)

Probably you have also no interest in indies game because, again, all of them could have been made with the PS3 (and the proof is that the majority of them can be found on WIIu and Vita, systems that are far inferior)

And of course, remasters are out of the question.

Am I right?

[starchild]

Should I just keep my old PC around too? I mean, instead of selling my older graphics card and making money to put toward my new graphics card maybe they should just do away with backwards compatibility on PC and that way I'll be forced to keep older PCs around to keep playing my favorite games. That sounds awesome. Way superior in every way.

I buy a new graphics card to play new games only. Screw getting to play my entire library of games with better graphics and better framerates.

This is such a compelling argument you guys are putting forward. I'm sure everyone is now thoroughly convinced of how unimportant backwards compatibility is for a gaming platform.

[feedthereaper]

For what its worth I am with you Overload, I have no idea why people want backwards compatible games, It is hard enough finding the time to play modern games let alone going back to old gen technology.

[Christopher]

***Doesn't sound like you're enjoying much of anything today...***

Makes no sense. Criticizing people for being stupid doesn't mean my life sucks.

*** and whilst I cannot spak for Death, I joined N4G because it was a cesspool of misinformation, one where logic and reason are secondary to sensationalist rhetoric - I strive to bring a touch of class to the 'debate', but don't mistake my competence for revelry.***

Holy crap, you think highly of yourself.

***I'm not saying remasters are bad - I'm saying the BUSINESS of remasters is bad***

But that's not what you say. And, it's a horrific concept considering without remasters you wouldn't see games like Grim Fandango or Day of the Tentacle ever again.

***and while you are right about the BC program requiring resources on MS' end, don't you think that that remastering the 300+ titles would be an exponentially greater drain on resources?***

Who said that the alternative to BC is remasters? The alternative in 99% of the cases is just having the game be available only on the old hardware.

.

I thought you said you brought class to the debate, but it feels like the same old thing here. Someone who finds a reason for his arguing with logic that falls flat.

[poppinslops]

@Chris: I stand by what I said... you can always ban me if it makes you feel better!

[Bigpappy]

No need to through out the baby with the bath water.
This is a great move for people who buy their games mostly digital now and even physical. Times have changed and are changing. Sony needs to get with the program and they will with they next console. I hear you talking about keeping your old console, but why would I want to do that when I am buying a new more capable console that can play those old game I BOUGHT at a better, more consistent framerate with better graphics and new features of said console. There is no downside to getting to play my old stuff on my new system that I can think of. Help me out here by sharing yours?
@Overload: PS4 gained in popularity over X1 because Sony embarrassed M$ in power comparison specs causing many Xbox owners to jump ship. I stayed because I have more reasons than power that make me prefer Xbox. But I do welcome the Scorpio. Sony started the gen well ahead in sales and had a few mediocre exclusives.

[GorillaTact]

Sony were actually the first console company to offer backwards compatibility. The PS3 put a stop to it until they brought about PS Now. Not being made to rebuy games is a good thing.

[ChozenWoan]

I'm gonna have to agree with you for once Bigpappy.

As a PS/PC gamer, even I have to agree that this is a great move by MS. Some days
I wish I could just pop in a PS1-4 game into the same console. That would eliminate having to power down one console, changing tv input channel, then powering up the next console.

[aconnellan]

Which doesn't work for those of us who:

- Never owned an older system

- Sold/traded their old systems to afford the new ones

- Don't own said old system because it belonged to a relative or friend at the time

- Don't have the space to store between 2-6 game consoles and have to unplug/rearrange the way that everything's set up if they want to play an old favourite

There'll definitely be people who are happy and able to keep their old systems, and that's fine.

But all I'm saying is that the Xbox requires you to pop a disc in if you want to play a 360 game; if you want to play a PS3 game you'll need to unplug everything and set up an entirely different console, provided you still actually own it.

Which seems easier to you?

[SkippyPaccino]

To be fair the ps3 & ps4 power cord is identical, so you can swap the ps4 with your ps3 lickety split

[Kingthrash360]

If they never own the old system or borrowed it then they will have to pay like 20 bucks for 1 old game.
Dosent that make psnow more attractive to pay less than that for 400 games? The whole thing about xbox bc is that you must already own the old game in order to enjoy it free. Otherwise you'd have to pay for it. With psnow there is no unplugging...just a matter of choosing a game and instantly playing it.

[Chris12]

@kingthrash360 - that is not a great argument. Most of the old 360 games are just a few quid in the UK AND two are given away every month in Gold. Plus all the previous digital stuff you bought will work for free to.

[conanlifts]

My first system was a spectrum. If i kept my old systems i wouldnt have room for any new ones.

[rainslacker]

pfft....I have plenty of systems. 14 currently hooked up to my TV.;)

[Brisco]

The hassle! Why would I want to turn on my old system when I can play it all on my new system?

[vegasgamerdawg]

. Your system isn't going to last forever and most buy more than 1 console in a lifetime. I wouldn't want the clutter of consoles , 2 is enough , all over the house, my place isn't ghetto. So you disagree with owning the games you buy? I would like to know why? ...lol.
You can tell when you're on N4G when fanBOY nonsense overides reality

[starchild]

Yep, bizarro world.

[rainslacker]

Your personal preferences only relate to you, and anyone who thinks like you. Others have no problem keeping older consoles. Personally, of all the systems I own, over 25 to be exact, I've only ever had to replace one(original Sega CD unit), and had one repaired(PC-FX).

Who says you don't own your games if you get a new system? you brought them for that system, so if you dont keep the syste to play them on, then them's the breaks. Things like BC are great, and I appreciate it when they're offered, but people who act like it's mandatory, or even compulsory, apparently haven't been gaming very long.

While it's likely going forward, that most systems will remain BC, barring some change in computing technologies, I don't see what that has to do with older games....and it's highly likely that it won't just be Scorpio which offers this ability. As of right now, MS is the only one offering BC with prior gens before this one, but that's hardly compelling evidence that MS is the pioneer here. Sony was doing it for 20 years before this gen, and even Nintendo dabbled in it for at least one prior gen.

it was never really a problem before if systems didn't have it. It's not really a problem now if it doesn't. It's just nice when it's offered, and it should be encouraged, but not necesarrily criticized if it's absent. Requested if one wants it, paid for without complaint if it is.

That being said, no one is forced to buy remasters. In some ways, remasters have benefits such as improved visuals or performance or sometimes added content over the original. New people who never brought the original can play it, and BC wouldn't be applicable to them. Fans can buy it for the improvements, and many do because they appreciate them. No one is forcing them, nor is the fact that BC exists mean that remasters will suddenly become a thing of the past, nor that they'll be any more forced than they are now.

People just like to make up crap because it's a justification for the console war. Nothing more, nothing less.

[tywinlannister000]

I've always wondered why nobody else has ever brought this point up.

[StifflerK]

Being able to keep your games and peripherals and use them on your new hardware is a great thing imo.
It's not as important as the new games and experiences, but as an extra feature it's great.

[jaymacx]

I agree. There is no reason to downplay this feature. Playstation had this with PS2 and early PS3's (BC games). I think this strengthens the brand because you don't need to get rid of your collection with the next system. I don't know about most of you guys but I don't want 6-7 Consoles hooked up to my Tv. Id rather just have the latest models from the BIG 3.

[BigTrain]

"I don't know about most of you guys but I don't want 6-7 Consoles hooked up to my Tv. Id rather just have the latest models from the BIG 3"

Exactly. I'm an old school gamer and I have everything. Emulation on the PC is the only thing that caused me to unhook older consoles but emulation only covers so much. BC is a great feature and anyone who argues against has tunnel vision.

[rainslacker]

It is a good thing. Wish people would stop making it into some console war BS thing and just applaud the idea.

[christocolus]

"One developer put it best recently when he described Project Scorpio as being “similar to PCs” in that “you’ll not lose your library when you buy a next-gen system.”

I think it's a great idea. PC gamers have enjoyed this for many years.It ensures continuity and I don't have to keep my old consoles lying around.

[Bigpappy]

That's exactly why Phil wants to go with the idea of upgrade rather than new gen. Because on PC there is no such thing as next gen even when you buy a whole new, much more powerful system.

[kneon]

And Sony is doing the same thing, the ps4 pro is fully backwards compatible, and I expect the same for all future consoles from both if them to be backwards compatible since they are essentially pc's with minor tweaks

[tyasia0]

I'd rather have new games, thanks anyways.

Really enjoying Yakuza 0 and Gravity Rush 2, looking forward to Berseria When I finish these two, though that might not happen before Horizon releases, then Neir Automata will be shortly after that.

I have last gen consoles still to play last gen games but who has time for those when there is a non-stop stream of new games to play.

[Bigpappy]

Then you have Ghost Recon, Mass Effect, Red Dead... many other coming down the pike. Trust me when I tell you those will be some of the best games money can buy, and will outsell any of your PS4 exclusive just using PS4 sales data.

[tyasia0]

Whats your point exactly? If I want to play those on PS4 I can.

Can you play any of the games I listed on your XBone?

What retail exclusive games have you been playing in January on XBone?

How many retail games can you list that release before E3 that are on XBone but aren't on PS4? I can name around a dozen that are on PS4 but not XBone.

[OB1Biker]

I think he's just saying he doesn't have time playing old games again (and HD space for that matter) when so many new games are released. You kinda agree even with just the multiplat.

[tywinlannister000]

I'd minus Ghost Recon

[Bigpappy]

You said you wanted NEW games, not EXCLUSIVES!

Are game better simply because their are exclusive to a system? They are not considered the greatest games because you can play them anywhere you want?
I didn't even buy GTA5 so why would I be interested in Yakuza 0. I don't want to play those type of guy, gangster action games anymore. Never played Gravity Rush so I have no idea if I would even want to play it on Xbox.

[tyasia0]

It's easy to say "I wouldn't play those games". All I have to say is your loss. They are great games. And their reviews speak for themselves if you don't want to take my word for it.

Also Yakuza is nothing like GTA, it's a shame people who haven't played them always compare them. But if you read around you'll find that almost no one who has played them will ever say they are similar.

[Death]

You say rather, I say I want the ability to do both. Why would you choose just one?

[ColonelHugh]

I don't know if you even bothered to read his entire post, but he answered that question right at the end.

"I have last gen consoles still to play last gen games but who has time for those when there is a non-stop stream of new games to play."

Which I can understand completely. I never toss out an old console, but I just don't have the time for old games. My new games backlog is huge. I've even got a newish PS3 game I need to play: Yakuza 5.

[aconnellan]

Lol I didn't realise that you had to make a choice. Why can't you have both?

[tyasia0]

https://media.giphy.com/med...

[aconnellan]

In response to your gif comment:

You literally opened your first comment with 'I'd rather have', which absolutely implies choosing one over the other, regardless of whether you own your old consoles or not.

Some of us had to sell our old consoles, so BC is a great option for people like me if a game comes out that I enjoyed or didn't get around to playing.

But the general sentiment on this site seems to be that people hate having choice anyway, so I don't know why I bother

[tyasia0]

No one "has" to sell an old console. If you couldn't wait and save for the new one that's your own deal.

I don't have to choose. I can play PS3 games literally any time I want. My PS3, PS4, WiiU are all connected to my TV right now. All I have to do is switch HDMI ports. In fact my PS3 and PS4 use HDMI-CEC they switch ports and turn on my TV when I turn them on. I don't even have to use the remote control.

P.S.I own about a dozen consoles dating back to an Atari 2600.

[ONESHOTV2]

Yeah i would rather play yakuza zero plus my old games thank you

[firelogic]

It's because XB1 owners have nothing to play most of the time. That's why they look forward to 360 BC compatibility announcements so much. If you're a PS4 owner, there are more games to play than there are hours in a day to start off 2017.

There are so many PS4 exclusive titles to fill in the spaces between big 3rd party games but that's not the case with XB1.

[starchild]

Nope. PC has more games than PS4 and I still love backwards compatibility, because good games don't stop being good games just because something newer came out.

[ColonelHugh]

@starchild
PC doesn't have perfect backwards compatibility either. Like many games of its era, Age of Empires II uses a strip on its disc for DRM purposes to make sure you only play it on Windows. With Windows 10, the software used for these strips was discontinued for security purposes, making playback impossible where Windows 8 still worked. Compatibility modes don't help either.

[rainslacker]

I'd enjoy the convenience of having it all on one system. But whatever. being a huge retro gamer and collector who actually does play a lot of the older games, I learned long ago how to live with multiple consoles. Launch PS3 is great because it can play 17 years worth of games, and I'd love if the PS4 could play 20+ years worth, but since it can't, I deal with it, and never even worry about it.

[SegaGamer]

I completely agree with this article and it's why i am not into gaming generations anymore. With so much going digital now, we need a way to protect our digital content. I don't want to lose all of the games i have purchased over the years once they close down the servers for certain consoles. With forward and backwards compatibility looking to being a thing now, this no longer has to be a concern. Having upgradable consoles with forward and backwards compatibility is a much better way forward than just moving on to a new generation of gaming where everything gets reset.

I seriously think Sony needs to come up with a way to protect our PS3 digital content. As it stands right now, our current collection is in a vulnerable state. Eventually, Sony will cut all support for the PS3, i don't think people will be too happy to lose content they spent so much money on.

[Meltic]

Couldn't agree with you more. Seems like the gaming generation is really bad now, sure they are good games, but i would also rather have my game on my CD than a CD-Key to unlock the game. They can just shut down all servers one day and then we are there without games. Gaming Before was MUCH MUCH better. Remember the old Syphon Filter and Max Payne 1, i had so much fun with those titles. Now i never finish most of my games i buy. Uncharted i played 3 times beacuse it was so good.

[jaymacx]

yep a good idea is a good idea no matter who says it. We fear that with PS3 (losing digital eventually) as well as Nintendo (VC andretail digital). Hopefully we can get to a point where whatever you get digitally follows you going forward.

[_-EDMIX-_]

"Eventually, Sony will cut all support for the PS3, i don't think people will be too happy to lose content they spent so much money on"

PS3 will still exist. I don't think they will send FOXDIE out to kill all the units that are out.

I don't disagree with you, only that it seems like wishful thinking.

What if they adapt a hardware set up that is more advance, but different enough that it would make supporting PS3 or PS4 titles not feasible without sending that cost to the user?

I'm all even for having 2 SKUs. One for BC and one without it (sorta how like PS3 launched).

Wave a wand and make it so and I'm on board.

but clearly it might not be that easy.

I don't disagree with you as I'd want some way to protect the content I've purchased digitally, maybe some sorta of legacy console.

Simply what happens when they change architectures for something more advance and BC is not an easy option?

I think the only think I could think of is 2 skus or some sort of emulation etc.

I'm more focused on how this would get done as suppose to just getting it done magically.

Trust me, I have Yakuza 4 and 5 digitally amongst sooooo many games on PS3 digitally that often wonder what would happen if Sony just stopped supporting PS3 in regards to PSN and my PS3 died lol.

"Having upgradable consoles with forward and backwards compatibility is a much better way forward"

I just don't know if its that simple. Lots of hardware configurations in the future could see that basically not work they why you think it might.

All the future architectures would need to be naturally BC, but that doesn't even work that simply with PC, let alone something like a game console .

ie compatibility mode only works so far in Window's OS's.

[Christopher]

But... PS4 Pro... does the exact same thing...

[Death]

The PS4 Pro does not do the exact same thing. The PS4 Pro plays games from this generation only and from the look of it, not much is taking advantage of the Pro's additional power. We aren't seeing all new games Pro enabled like Sony said. It's up to devs to code two different games. Scorpio will play Scorpio, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 games. Hopefully we will see support for original Xbox games as well, but nothing has been said about it. If Scorpio is neutered like the Pro, then it will be a pointless upgrade for most gamers as well.

[Christopher]

***The PS4 Pro plays games from this generation only***

Microsoft has said that the Xbox One and Scorpio would play the same games and that no games would be exclusive to Scorpio. By that definition, they are the exact same thing. They will play Xbox One games at a higher resolution and quality. They also have not said that every game would be improved on Scorpio or that developers will be required to support it on Day 1.

They are the exact same in this regard.

*** not much is taking advantage of the Pro's additional power.***

Disagree, as do the list of games on Day 1 -- http://www.techradar.com/ne... -- as well as the fact that every retail release since then has shown improvements on the PS4 Pro over the PS4.

***Scorpio will play Scorpio, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 games.***

You are spreading misinformation. Scorpio will play Xbox One games, which includes BC games from the 360 that are provided digitally specifically for XBO (technically, they are ports that you don't have to pay for).

I think it's extremely poor of you to spread misinformation since everything we have from Microsoft so far completely negates the concept that there will be Scorpio exclusive games.

[Death]

Not all games show improvements. http://www.gamespot.com/art... and not all games released are being upgraded.

As for Scorpio not getting exclusives or games not on Xbox One, how do you propose VR will be handled with Scorpio? There will be Scorpio only games. If Microsoft handles this like PC does with gaming, it's not hard to see the direction they are headed. If they handle it like Sony is with the Pro, it's pointless.

[Trez1234]

Since when " most " gamers think it's pointless to upgrade to the pro? The slim sales more and rightly so because it's cheaper but to think the pro isn't selling or pointless is way off the mark. You can tell me the ol " everyone is know think is pointless " and I can tell you that almost everyone I know have the ps4 pro or getting one real soon.

Don't make the scorpio what it isn't because if that spreads and scorpio turns out a little different, they will be a backlash.

[Aenea]

"Not all games show improvements."

Funny that, because the reason why those drop a few extra frames is actually because of the graphical improvements. They made a booboo with the improvements which have been patched in the mean time.

So, this is also misinformation.

It's also something that actually might happen with the first few games that will be patched for the Scorpio.......

-----
As for not having exclusives, yes, if it supports VR somehow it will have VR exclusives that won't run on the X1.

Not sure what you're on about with the direction the Pro is taking and what the PC does with gaming, care to elaborate?

----
And pray tell, in what way is the Pro neutered?

All I see is Scorpio being the same thing PS4 Pro is...

[DragonDDark]

If you put it like that, the ps4 pro does the same thing?

[medman]

Hard for Scorpio to "fix" console gaming when Microsoft produces very few games.

[battlegrog]

Steam is the most successful platform for a reason. This is how it needs to be. It's ridiculous people pay less money for these games and five years later than useless unless you keep every freaking and console.

Anyone that doenst think this is a good idea is a fool or a Sony fan. Ps4 did well of courzebut console market is changing and Sony said they wanted to do this too. Trust me the next PS console will have the same structure to let u play ps4 games.

[ILostMyMind]

You were doing well until you proved you were hater by Sony.

[BenRC01]

And just like pc gaming your brand new beast of a gpu gets dragged down by the guys still using old tech

[starchild]

Not really. You see graphics and framerate improvements in all your games and it's great.

[optimus]

to say that nobody wants to play old games is ridiculous because Nintendo banked on that idea with their mini NES classic which ended up selling out everywhere....if it wasn't for backwards compatibility I would miss out on some great games I didn't get around to playing the 1st time around...with Scorpio I'm hoping they go as far back as the 1st Xbox cause I still have 2 full cases of those games in my closet.

[BenRC01]

How many were still playing on boxing day?

[optimus]

boxing day??

[BenRC01]

Day after xmas

[optimus]

the day after Christmas is called boxing day now? news to me...anyhow, what does that have to do with my old Xbox games??

[Aenea]

Wow! PS4 was the first PlayStation that didn't have backwards compatibility on release and probably never will and now all of a sudden MS is doing it it's the greatest thing ever and will fix console gaming greatest flaw (which apparently only exists since 2013)!

[VoiceMale]

how is it all of a sudden....xbox 360 had backwards compatibility to some of the regular xbox library despite having completely different chipsets changing from nvidia to ati on the 360...and xb1 have the ability to play some xbox 360 games...so MS has technically BC with all released consoles....so to say all of a sudden is factually wrong from all angles....

[Aenea]

Still doesn't explain why they call it "console gamings greatest flaw" when most PlayStation and Xbox consoles have/had BC....

[starchild]

Because currently it's a flaw. Current consoles either have no backwards compatibility or sparse, incomplete backward compatibility.

[fad632]

I'll start by saying I will be buying a Scorpio on day one.

But... I don't think you can call this new to console generations, my PS3 could still play my PS2 games, My PS2 could still play my PSOne games. Granted not entirely the same but my PS4Pro can play my PS4 games.

To be honest I have more trouble these days trying to get older games on my PC to play.

Just my opinion...

[ILostMyMind]

And your opinion is right. The story is good but very naive (at best) in saying that Microsoft is the end of this problem. Such a move has already been taken before by other companies and is now with PS4/Pro. The secret is in x86 architecture.

[jay2]

Sony did this up till tge launch ps3s pmsl can shove your ps1 or 2 discs in and play so no

[Inzo]

I must say that wont be a bad feature. will it be substantial? Maybe for older gamers like my self but for the kids today its all about graphics and "on-the-line" gaming and they wont care much for this but for nostalgia seekers, a few years down the line this should be good.

[jakseth]

Microsoft is just toying with you guys with their marketing. They just happened to have found a stable technology based on x86 with AMD that going to work for the next 10-20 years and require very little recoding from from a console to another. the day they decide to go with a new different technology they will change their tune. marketing bla bla thats all.

[kneon]

Except I doubt either sony or ms will change the underlying platform, having moved to pc architecture there are just too many advantages to consider changing again.

[BenRC01]

In other words "we have no exclusives anymore but here's loads of old games no one cares about. 1000 games at launch!!!!!"

Buy a raspberry pi for £30 and play every retro game ever made.

[RedPill86]

Selling software? Because that's the major issue right now. Nintendo, with the worst hardware, had multiple titles hit 5 million units sold. The PS4 has past the 5 million point with 1 first party title. With the staggering amount of PS4's on the market compared to the Wii U? You gotta wonder what's up with these software sales.

Unless this guy thinks peripherals and gimmicky crap are the issue? Fair enough argument, but mines a little better seeing as how software sales keeps companies running. Crap peripherals and gimmicks divide attention at a company that should be focused on software once the initial hardware is out.

[OrbitingTheOrb]

If it weren't for BC on X1 I never would have gotten to play Lost Odyssey. Some people dont keep their old consoles hanging around.

I never got to play Demons Souls or MGS4. Id love to be able to just pop those in my PS4. Playstation Now is just crap and isn't the way I want to experience those kind of games. Your connection has to be pristine unless you want ugly streaming quality and input lag.

So yeah, the OPTION would be nice.

[C-H-E-F]

can't fix a gaming flaw without having games on it. that's Microsoft's biggest flaw and why they never attracted me. Only one game was rather interesting and that was Forza, the rest were meh and they rarely have COOL new IPs the best IPs they have all were out since Xbox... smh.

[BenRC01]

Such a bad idea. You'll end up like pc gaming where it's impossible to maximise the power of the latest tech because you still have to consider the old guff. Steam machine 2.0.

[yomfweeee]

The author realizes MANY systems before Scorpio offered BC right? Am I missing something?

[Dirtnapstor]

So, bottom line, it will come stock with the hardware to play 360 and One games as well as this newer next gen, provided you purchased those games digitally. Hard drive better be a biggie! Maybe they'll have a streaming service too?

[feraldrgn]

Greatest flaw that MS themselves & Phil Spencer took part in?
(See remasters).

[KickSpinFilter]

That's what PS4 to PS4 Pro is all about also. Who knows about XB2 and PS5 will do, but I'm sure it's part of that now also. Now that Architecture of the systems are closely matched to a PC's rather than lets say a "CELL architecture that really did not work that well with the now standard.

[Vizigoth04]

I love the PS4. I would also love being able to upgrade a console similarly to a PC. So if Microsoft does this first and it's legit and it works then I will give Microsoft my money. But at the same time as long as Sony has excellent exclusive then they will always have my business aswell.

[Petebloodyonion]

1) Okay to all who say I don't buy a console to play old game: Well I expect that you have 0 retro games, remasters or indy games on your PS4 because all theses games could have been done on PS3. So playing them mean that you're playing old experience unworthy of the power of the PS4.

2) Now for me, the problem at heart isn't about playing old games on the newest system but the change at the core business model of digital vs physical.

With a physical purchase, I have the right to put my game in all console, PSN account or not. I can trade the game for another game with a friend, I can resell it, etc.
The logical counterweight to that with digital download is the ability to access my game, movie, music on any device.

Does Apple charge you again for accessing you song, apps, etc. when changing phone, transfer to Ipad, etc?
Do you get charged for accessing your digital movie on a computer, instead of your tablet?
Does Steam charge you when accessing your Windows games on a Mac or Linux?

So why should I accept Sony charging me again for accessing my earliest digitals purchase?

[Profchaos]

Technology may allow it but it enters a grey area with copyright laws the devs had to greenlight their games to be playable on backwards compatibility programs after securing licenses for ingame items such as music.

E g. Past gta games like vice city were even edited on steam to remove Michael Jackson's music when the copyright expired

[zacly]

It would great if they went one step further and made original xbox games backwards compatible as well

[Captain_Tom]

Erhhh it was only this gen that anyone had to re-buy games. Most previous gens were backwords compatible. This one was just a necessary switch to a more easily programmed architecture.

The XBOX 2 is just another generation of console launching 4 years after its predecessor. Nothing special.